The German military plans to decommission its Patriot anti-aircraft systems in Poland and Slovakia later this year, a defense ministry spokesman told German media group Funke.
Patriotic organizationPhoto: ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
The deployment of patriotic units will be suspended in Poland in June and in Slovakia by the end of the year.
“The states have been informed about these plans,” a spokesman was quoted as saying in a German newspaper on Friday. “Of course, we are in close contact with our partners and NATO, reacting to the necessary changes in the situation,” he added.
Germany moved patriotic units to Poland earlier this year after a missile struck Polish territory in November in a rural area near the border with Ukraine, killing two farmers. Berlin said it was helping to protect Poland’s airspace.
Western powers and NATO concluded that the Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile was used against attacks by the Russian military.
The Bundeswehr established the Patriot system, which will begin in March 2022, in response to Slovakia – in neighboring Ukraine – donating its own S-300 anti-aircraft system to Ukraine shortly after the war began.
It was known since the end of last year that the German equipment stationed in Slovakia should be returned at the end of 2023 for technical work.
Germany now plans to hand over two Mantis anti-aircraft systems to Slovakia by October. (Agerpress)
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